POUNDING
← Gamepad MIDI
Pounding Systems
Documentation

Use Cases & Examples

This guide provides practical examples and inspiration for using Gamepad MIDI in real-world scenarios.

Synthesizer Control

Example 1: Classic Filter Sweep

Control a synthesizer's filter cutoff and resonance with analog sticks.

Configuration:

  • Left Stick Y → CC 74 (Filter Cutoff), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Left Stick X → CC 71 (Resonance), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 100
  • Right Trigger → CC 11 (Expression), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127

Smoothing:

  • Left Stick: 0.88 (smooth sweeps)
  • Right Trigger: 0.85

Usage:

  • Move left stick up to open the filter
  • Move left stick right to add resonance
  • Use right trigger to control overall dynamics
  • Natural, expressive control like playing an instrument

Example 2: Multi-Parameter Macro

Create a macro control that affects multiple synth parameters simultaneously.

Configuration:

  • Right Stick Y → CC 74 (Filter Cutoff), Ch 1, Min: 20, Max: 127
  • Right Stick Y → CC 71 (Resonance), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 80
  • Right Stick Y → CC 10 (Pan), Ch 1, Min: 64, Max: 100
  • Right Stick Y → CC 91 (Reverb Send), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 90

Result: Single stick movement simultaneously:

  • Opens filter
  • Increases resonance
  • Pans right
  • Adds reverb

Perfect for dramatic build-ups and transitions.

Example 3: Dual Synth Layering

Control two synthesizers independently for layered sounds.

Configuration:

Synth 1 (Channel 1):

  • Left Stick Y → CC 74 (Filter Cutoff), Ch 1
  • Left Trigger → CC 7 (Volume), Ch 1

Synth 2 (Channel 2):

  • Right Stick Y → CC 74 (Filter Cutoff), Ch 2
  • Right Trigger → CC 7 (Volume), Ch 2

Usage:

  • Left stick/trigger controls bass layer
  • Right stick/trigger controls lead layer
  • Independent control of layered sounds
  • Create dynamic textural changes

Mixer Control

Example 4: Four-Track Mixer

Control volume levels of four tracks simultaneously.

Configuration:

  • Left Stick Y → CC 7 (Volume), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Right Stick Y → CC 7 (Volume), Ch 2, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Left Trigger → CC 7 (Volume), Ch 3, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Right Trigger → CC 7 (Volume), Ch 4, Min: 0, Max: 127

Smoothing:

  • All controls: 0.90-0.95 (smooth fades)

Usage:

  • Quick submix adjustments during recording
  • Live performance volume rides
  • Create manual crossfades between tracks
  • Dynamic mix automation

Example 5: Pan and Send Control

Control stereo positioning and effect sends.

Configuration:

  • Left Stick X → CC 10 (Pan), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Left Stick Y → CC 91 (Reverb Send), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Right Stick X → CC 10 (Pan), Ch 2, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Right Stick Y → CC 93 (Chorus Send), Ch 2, Min: 0, Max: 127

Usage:

  • Place sounds in stereo field
  • Add spatial effects simultaneously
  • Create movement and depth
  • Automate with natural hand movements

Drum and Sample Triggering

Example 6: Drum Pad Setup

Use buttons to trigger drum samples in trigger mode.

Configuration:

  • A Button → Note C1, Ch 10, Trigger mode, Velocity: 110 (Kick)
  • B Button → Note D1, Ch 10, Trigger mode, Velocity: 100 (Snare)
  • X Button → Note F#1, Ch 10, Trigger mode, Velocity: 80 (Closed Hi-Hat)
  • Y Button → Note A#1, Ch 10, Trigger mode, Velocity: 70 (Open Hi-Hat)

Additional:

  • L1 → Note E1, Ch 10, Trigger mode, Velocity: 95 (Tom 1)
  • R1 → Note G1, Ch 10, Trigger mode, Velocity: 95 (Tom 2)

Usage:

  • Play drums like a gamepad instrument
  • Record drum patterns in real-time
  • Use alongside drum machine or sampler
  • Intuitive button layout for rhythm

Example 7: Sample Launcher with Dynamics

Trigger samples with velocity control from analog inputs.

Configuration:

  • D-Pad Up → Note C2, Ch 1, Toggle mode, Velocity: 127 (Loop 1)
  • D-Pad Down → Note D2, Ch 1, Toggle mode, Velocity: 127 (Loop 2)
  • D-Pad Left → Note E2, Ch 1, Toggle mode, Velocity: 127 (Loop 3)
  • D-Pad Right → Note F2, Ch 1, Toggle mode, Velocity: 127 (Loop 4)
  • Right Trigger → CC 11 (Expression), Ch 1 (Controls sample volume)

Usage:

  • Toggle loops on/off with D-pad
  • Control overall level with trigger
  • Build up layers of loops
  • Live looping performance

Effect Control

Example 8: Delay Parameters

Control a delay effect with multiple parameters.

Configuration:

  • Left Stick X → CC 12 (Delay Time), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Left Stick Y → CC 13 (Delay Feedback), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 100
  • Right Stick Y → CC 94 (Delay Mix), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Right Trigger → CC 95 (Delay Filter), Ch 1, Min: 40, Max: 127

Smoothing:

  • Left Stick: 0.85
  • Right Stick: 0.88

Usage:

  • Adjust delay timing with horizontal stick movement
  • Control feedback (repeats) with vertical stick movement
  • Fade delay in/out with right stick
  • Filter the delay signal with trigger
  • Create rhythmic delay effects on the fly

Example 9: Motion-Controlled Reverb

Use gyroscope for expressive reverb control.

Configuration:

  • Gyroscope X → CC 91 (Reverb Send), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Gyroscope Y → CC 92 (Reverb Time), Ch 1, Min: 30, Max: 120
  • Right Trigger → CC 93 (Reverb Pre-Delay), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 80

Smoothing:

  • Gyroscope: 0.95 (smooth motion tracking)
  • Trigger: 0.88

Usage:

  • Tilt controller left/right to adjust reverb amount
  • Tilt forward/back to change reverb decay time
  • Squeeze trigger for pre-delay
  • Natural, gestural control of spatial effects

Live Performance

Example 10: Performance Macro Control

Create a single-stick performance macro for live shows.

Configuration:

  • Right Stick Y → CC 74 (Filter Cutoff), Ch 1, Min: 10, Max: 127
  • Right Stick Y → CC 71 (Resonance), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 70
  • Right Stick Y → CC 91 (Reverb Send), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 100
  • Right Stick Y → CC 7 (Volume), Ch 2, Min: 127, Max: 60 (inverted)
  • Right Stick X → CC 10 (Pan), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127

Result:

  • Push stick up: Opens filter, adds resonance and reverb, reduces background track
  • Push stick down: Closes filter, removes effects, brings back background
  • Move stick left/right: Pan the sound

Perfect for building and releasing energy in a live set.

Example 11: Transition Control

Create smooth transitions between song sections.

Configuration:

  • Left Trigger → CC 7 (Volume), Ch 1, Min: 127, Max: 0 (Fade out A)
  • Right Trigger → CC 7 (Volume), Ch 2, Min: 0, Max: 127 (Fade in B)
  • A Button → CC 123 (All Notes Off), Ch 1, Trigger mode (Panic A)
  • B Button → CC 123 (All Notes Off), Ch 2, Trigger mode (Panic B)

Smoothing:

  • Both triggers: 0.95 (smooth crossfades)

Usage:

  • Crossfade between two tracks or sections
  • Left trigger fades out section A
  • Right trigger fades in section B
  • Buttons provide panic/reset if needed

Experimental & Creative

Example 12: Chaotic Modulation

Use accelerometer for controlled chaos and randomness.

Configuration:

  • Accelerometer X → CC 1 (Modulation), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Accelerometer Y → CC 74 (Filter Cutoff), Ch 1, Min: 40, Max: 100
  • Gyroscope X → CC 10 (Pan), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Right Stick Y → CC 7 (Volume), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127

Smoothing:

  • Accelerometer: 0.90 (moderate response)
  • Gyroscope: 0.93

Usage:

  • Shake controller to modulate synth
  • Tilt to pan sound around stereo field
  • Use stick to control dynamics
  • Physical movement becomes music

Example 13: Touch-Controlled X/Y Pad

Use touchpad as an X/Y control surface.

Configuration:

  • Touchpad X → CC 16 (General Purpose 1), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Touchpad Y → CC 17 (General Purpose 2), Ch 1, Min: 0, Max: 127
  • Touchpad Button → Note C3, Ch 1, Toggle mode (Latch current position)

Touchpad Settings:

  • Return to Zero: Enabled (touchpad returns to center)

Usage:

  • Swipe touchpad to control two parameters simultaneously
  • Perfect for X/Y effect controls
  • Press touchpad to latch position
  • Release and swipe again for dynamic control

Example 14: Bidirectional Note Gates

Use dual gates for melodic control with a stick.

Configuration:

  • Left Stick X → Note C3 (Gate A), Note G3 (Gate B), Ch 1, Trigger mode, Threshold: 0.70

Usage:

  • Push stick right → Plays C3
  • Push stick left → Plays G3
  • Center stick → Silence
  • Create melodies by moving stick back and forth
  • Threshold determines how far you need to push

DAW-Specific Examples

Ableton Live

Clip Launching and Mixing:

  • D-Pad → Notes C0-D#0 for clip triggers
  • Sticks → CC 7/10 for volume and pan
  • Triggers → CC for send amounts

Device Control:

  • Map sticks to macro knobs
  • Use MIDI learn for quick assignment
  • Create Device Racks for complex mappings

FL Studio

Mixer Control:

  • Each stick/trigger controls a different track volume
  • Use channels to separate track control
  • Map to mixer track parameters

Step Sequencer:

  • Buttons trigger notes for drum patterns
  • Record in real-time or step mode
  • Use velocity for dynamics

Logic Pro

Smart Controls:

  • Map gamepad to Smart Control parameters
  • Use Smart Controls as intermediary
  • Control multiple plugins with one mapping

Automation:

  • Record gamepad movements as automation
  • Edit automation curves after recording
  • Layer multiple automation passes

Tips for Creating Your Own Use Cases

Start with a Goal

Define Your Objective:

  • What do you want to control?
  • Which parameters are most important?
  • How will you use it (studio vs live)?

Map Ergonomically

Consider Controller Layout:

  • Related controls should be near each other
  • Most-used controls on easiest-to-reach buttons/sticks
  • Less critical controls on harder-to-reach inputs

Test and Iterate

Refine Your Mappings:

  • Try the mapping in actual use
  • Adjust smoothing and ranges
  • Modify based on what feels natural
  • Save iterations as different presets

Combine Techniques

Layer Multiple Concepts:

  • Mixer control + effect sends
  • Note triggers + parameter automation
  • Motion control + traditional inputs

Save as Presets

Document Your Work:

  • Name presets descriptively
  • Create variations for different songs/situations
  • Export and share successful mappings

Community Use Cases

These examples are just starting points. The community has created many innovative uses:

  • Visual Performance - Control VJ software parameters
  • Game Integration - MIDI to game parameter bridges
  • Accessibility - Alternative input method for disabled musicians
  • Education - Teaching MIDI and synthesis concepts
  • Installation Art - Interactive sound installations
  • Theater Sound - Live sound effect control
  • Podcast Production - Real-time audio processing control

Inspiration Resources

Experiment With:

  • Different controller types (fight sticks, racing wheels, etc.)
  • Unusual parameter combinations
  • Extreme smoothing values
  • Motion control for ambient music
  • Rapid button sequences for glitch effects

Share Your Creations:

  • Export presets and share with others
  • Document your workflow
  • Create video demonstrations
  • Contribute to community preset libraries

Next Steps